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Pack mentality: Christian Academy of Indiana cross country team eyes first regional title

Christian Academy of Indiana cross country runners Caleb Futter (from left), Skylar Stidam and Bryce Dunn are looking to win the program's first regional title on Saturday.(Photo: Courtesy of Neil Crouse)

Christian Academy of Indiana’s boys cross country team was in such control of the Crawford County Sectional last Saturday, the top three runners slowed the pace so they could cross the line together.

The trio — senior Skylar Stidam, junior Caleb Futter and sophomore Bryce Dunn — crossed the finish line together while taking the top three spots as the Warriors won their second straight sectional.

Now the Warriors will return to Crawford County Saturday as they try to win the school’s first regional title in cross country.

“We just want to get the race in, qualify for the semi-state and compete,” Dunn said. “It’s a time for us to do something as a team.”

Although Stidam — one of the state’s top runners — technically finished first at last week's sectional, all three completed the course just a shade over 16:41. New Albany’s Alexander Wallingford finished fourth, some 16 seconds behind the CAI pack.

Stidam said they wanted to emphasize the school’s athletic theme of “one.”

“We thought to embody that oneness, that would be the best way to do it," he said. "I was OK with it. It really makes a statement. It’s almost intimidating when you see three guys across the line from the same team.

Plus, the Warriors wanted to save their best for the next three weeks.

“We didn’t want to put too much effort in that race,” said CAI coach Neil Crouse. “We’re looking toward the semi-state and the state. Our goal was 1-2-3. I told them to run together and push each and help each other out. We told them to be stride for stride across the finish line and they were.

“Their work ethic is awesome. They’re all great athletes. They’re fantastic to be around.”

Now the Warriors will return to Crawford County Saturday as they try to win the school’s first regional title in cross country.

Before they venture back to Crawford County, the Warriors will return to Olive Garden Friday night for their pre-race virtual of carb loading.

CAI’s main competition will be a strong group from 13th-ranked Tell City, dominant winners of the Jasper Sectional and two-time defending regional champions. The Warriors are ranked No. 17 in the state.

CAI faced Tell City once this season and barely beat the Marksmen in a meet at Brown County.

“It’s going to be an exciting regional,” Crouse said.

Stidam, who finished third in the state meet as a junior, said he will make his college choice in about a week. His final three schools are top-ranked Northern Arizona, Colorado and Indiana.